Senior Counsellor

Senior Counsellor

Watford Full-Time 44000 - 66000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead a new Talking Therapies service, providing clinical leadership and developing innovative interventions.
  • Company: Nouvita Healthcare delivers high-quality mental health support across Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire, and Bedfordshire.
  • Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary of £55,000, professional development opportunities, and a supportive work environment.
  • Why this job: Join a values-led team making a real impact in mental health care from day one.
  • Qualifications: Accredited counselling qualifications and experience in clinical leadership are essential.
  • Other info: This role offers hybrid working and the chance to shape the future of psychological therapies.

The predicted salary is between 44000 - 66000 £ per year.

About The Role

Lead Counsellor – Talking Therapies Service

Location: Hybrid - (Hertfordshire - initially based in Hatfield and Baldock)

Hours: Full-time, 37.5 hours

Employer: Nouvita Healthcare

Contract: Permanent

Salary: £55,000 + Benefits

Join Us in Shaping the Future of Mental Health Support

Are you an experienced and accredited counselling professional looking to take the next step in leadership? Nouvita Healthcare is proud to be launching a new NHS-commissioned Talking Therapies service in Hertfordshire and we are looking for a dynamic Lead Counsellor to play a pivotal role in its success. This is a unique opportunity to be part of an exciting new chapter in accessible, high-quality mental health care. You’ll help build, shape, and deliver a compassionate, forward-thinking counselling service — working closely with colleagues, GPs, NHS partners, and the wider community.

What You’ll Be Doing

  • Provide Clinical Leadership to counsellors, trainees, and other therapy professionals
  • Ensure Safe & Effective Supervision, overseeing the structure and quality of clinical supervision
  • Deliver Specialist Therapy for complex presentations within the service
  • Support Service Development by creating new interventions, guiding best practice, and driving innovation within the counselling modalities
  • Collaborate with NHS Partners (including Hertfordshire Partnership Foundation Trust and GPs)
  • Lead Recruitment & Workforce Development, helping build and train our team
  • Promote Mental Health Awareness through community events, training, and public engagement

What We’re Looking For

  • One or more NHS Talking Therapies specified counselling or psychotherapy accreditations (as detailed in the NHS Talking Therapies Manual): British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) Accredited; United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) Registered as a Psychotherapist or Psychotherapeutic Counsellor; Association of Christian Counsellors (ACC) Accreditation; National Counselling Society (NCS) Accredited Professional registrants, British Psychoanalytic Council Registered.
  • Completed training in Counselling for Depression
  • Proven experience in clinical leadership and supervision
  • Skilled in working with complex presentations
  • In-depth knowledge of NHS Talking Therapies (formerly IAPT)
  • Passion for service development, workforce growth, and patient care
  • Willingness to travel across Hertfordshire County

Why Join Nouvita Healthcare?

  • Be part of a brand-new, values-led Talking Therapies service
  • Play a key leadership role from day one
  • Work in a supportive, multidisciplinary environment
  • Contribute to genuinely meaningful mental health transformation
  • Opportunities for continued professional development and innovation

If you’re ready to make a difference and shape the future of psychological therapies in Hertfordshire, we’d love to hear from you.

Nouvita Healthcare is an established provider of specialist health and social care services across Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire. We are dedicated to delivering high-quality, patient-centred mental health support and therapeutic services in hospital, residential and now in outpatient settings. Our focus is on empowering recovery and improving outcomes through effective, compassionate care. At Nouvita, we value continuous improvement and foster an environment where all staff have a voice and can develop their careers.

We are committed to:

  • Delivering high-quality mental health services
  • Maintaining excellent clinical governance and patient outcomes
  • Supporting staff development and wellbeing
  • Promoting equality, inclusion, and diversity in everything we do

Nouvita Healthcare is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are a Disability Confident employer, providing support to applicants with mental and/or physical disabilities. If you are interested in applying for employment with Nouvita Healthcare and are in need of support to navigate our website or to complete your application, please send an email with your request to: recruitment@nouvita.co.uk

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Contact Detail:

Nouvita Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Counsellor

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the NHS Talking Therapies framework and its specific requirements. Understanding the nuances of this system will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to the role.

✨Tip Number 2

Network with professionals already working in NHS Talking Therapies or similar roles. Engaging with them can provide insights into the challenges and expectations of the position, which can be invaluable during your application process.

✨Tip Number 3

Prepare to discuss your clinical leadership experiences in detail. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully supervised teams or developed new interventions in previous roles, as this is a key aspect of the job.

✨Tip Number 4

Showcase your passion for mental health awareness and community engagement. Think of ways you can contribute to public events or training initiatives, as this aligns with Nouvita's mission and will set you apart from other candidates.

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Counsellor

Clinical Leadership
Supervision Skills
Complex Case Management
NHS Talking Therapies Knowledge
Accredited Counselling Qualifications
Service Development
Intervention Design
Collaboration with Healthcare Professionals
Recruitment and Workforce Development
Community Engagement
Passion for Mental Health Awareness
Training and Development Skills
Adaptability to Travel
Effective Communication Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Senior Counsellor position. Tailor your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the specific duties mentioned.

Highlight Relevant Experience: Emphasise your clinical leadership experience and any relevant accreditations in your CV and cover letter. Provide examples of how you've successfully supervised teams or developed services in previous roles.

Showcase Your Passion: In your application, express your passion for mental health support and service development. Mention any initiatives you've led or participated in that demonstrate your commitment to improving patient care.

Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your CV and cover letter for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism.

How to prepare for a job interview at Nouvita

✨Showcase Your Leadership Experience

As a Senior Counsellor, you'll be expected to provide clinical leadership. Be prepared to discuss your previous leadership roles, how you've supervised others, and any specific examples of how you've guided teams in delivering effective therapy.

✨Demonstrate Your Knowledge of NHS Talking Therapies

Familiarise yourself with the NHS Talking Therapies framework and be ready to discuss your understanding of its principles. Highlight any relevant experience you have working within this system, especially with complex presentations.

✨Emphasise Your Passion for Service Development

Nouvita Healthcare is looking for someone who is passionate about developing services. Prepare to share ideas on how you would contribute to service development and innovation, and any past experiences where you've successfully implemented new interventions.

✨Prepare for Collaborative Scenarios

Collaboration with NHS partners is key in this role. Think of examples where you've worked with other professionals or organisations to achieve a common goal, and be ready to discuss how you can foster these relationships in your new role.

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